Melodeon Manufacturers and Makers

Well here's one that will knock you dead in your tracks ! - an ELECTRIC melodeon. What a great idea and it's what a lot of reed instrument players in barn dance bands and such have been crying out for.

Here are some of its features:

Two row 21 button keyboard + 8 bass buttons
Feels and plays like a conventional melodeon
8 user-definable voice patches, each allowing configuration of:
Treble and bass voices. Treble and bass voices can be set independently and can be chosen from over 80 instrument sounds.

Treble and bass octaves. Each voice may be shifted up or down up to 2 octaves from normal pitch.

Here's a name that has been on the folk scene since it first started. Manufacturing excellent instruments, Hohner has become one of the mainstays on the folk scene being played by most notable accordion and melodeon "folkies" - I own an old 2 row G/D melodeon myself (which I play very badly but enjoy) it is an excellent instrument and so easy to play.

One look at Stormy's website at Hyde Accordions will convince you that these accordions are the real deal. You are not only buying a hand-built instrument you are buying a piece of the craftsmans expertise and knowledge. These instruments almost seem to have a soul of their own. Here's what Stormy says on his website:

"I have just launched my new range of Button Accordions and Flutinas that are the result of 24 years of research and development. This has culminated in combining my skills and expertise as a master custom accordion maker, along with incorporating the use of Australian native, exotic and introduced (pest) species of timbers.
Over the past 24 years, a lot of assistance has been given to me, by many people, into the development of the first Australian Accordion, and thereafter, a range of fine instruments".

Cairdín (pronounced car-DEEN) - All instruments are superbly hand-crafted from the finest materials available. A variety of different wood finishes are available, Standard options are Oak, Walnut, Cherry. With matching Black or Gold Bellows.
After final assembly the accordions are individually tuned and prepared to the exact requirements of the player. Tune options available are B/C, C#/D, D/G, C/F with others on request. Tremelo options are Wet, Dry, Swing, Musette.
Only the highest quality reeds are used, Handmade in the Deluxe range.
All models are fitted with polished metal grills and Flat Keyboards. Availible with 8 or 12 Bases - Bass stops can be fitted if required.
Accordions are supplied with shoulder straps and hard case or padded rucksack, and are guaranteed for three years.